Why I Went Back to My Mom's Favorite Laundry Detergent - It Actually Works Better Now

"My family has been a Tide household for as long as I can remember. Growing up, my mom always used the classic powdered detergent, and later made the switch to the liquid version. It was just the default in our home. As an adult, though, I started experimenting with different detergents over the years. But the older I get (and the more laundry I do) the more I've realized that not all detergents actually clean the same way."

"Between workout clothes, skincare products that transfer onto pillowcases, and cooking oil splashes, I began noticing that some of my clothes looked clean but still felt slightly coated or had a dull appearance. And while they smelled fine right out of the washer, that fresh feeling didn't always last. That's when I decided to give Tide another go, which was the perfect timing as the brand just upgraded its original liquid detergent to its most advanced formula yet."

"Tide's Original Laundry Detergent got its first major formula upgrade in 20 years - which started replacing the old formula in September 2025. This upgraded formula is designed to deliver what the brand calls "6x Boosted Clean." It has a 25% increase in cleaning surfactants for stain removal and 40% more nonionic surfactants to combat odors. This was tested against "22 different stains across a wide range of fabrics, machines, and wash conditions to ensure superior performance," according to a press release on the site."

Longtime household use and experimentation revealed variations in detergent performance, with some garments feeling coated, appearing dull, or losing a lasting fresh scent. Tide Original liquid received its first major formula upgrade in 20 years, beginning replacement in September 2025, and is labeled "6x Boosted Clean." The concentrated formula increases cleaning surfactants by 25% for stain removal and adds 40% more nonionic surfactants to fight odors. The upgrade was tested against 22 different stains across varied fabrics, machines, and wash conditions. The concentrate works in all machine types and cycles and is safe for machine-washable fabrics.

Read at Apartment Therapy